Great Scot May 2020 Great Scot 159_MAY 2020_ONLINE_V3 | Page 73

Cricket
ABOVE: THE OLD SCOTCH CRICKET CLUB 2019/20 PREMIERSHIP TEAM: REAR: TOM WHITELAW ('04), SEB ARMSTRONG ('12),
WILL CLARK ('17), NOAH CROES ('17), NICK SHEARER ('17), GARY BENNETT ('88). FRONT: LACHIE BANGS ('17), WILL BONWICK
('16), CHARLIE LOVERIDGE ('18), TOM LOVERIDGE ('18), MATT MITCHELL ('12), TOM MURRAY ('06). RIGHT: THE SPOILS OF
VICTORY. LEFT: THE SCOREBOARD TELLS THE WINNING STORY
FOURTH TIME LUCKY
FOR CRICKET CLUB
A CLINICAL GRAND FINAL PERFORMANCE
CAPS A GREAT SEASON
After a thrilling two wicket semi-final win over rivals Old Melburnians,
the Old Scotch Cricket Club’s 1st XI went into the MCC Club XI grand
final against Melbourne High School Old Boys full of confidence, and
with the opportunity to turn around a run of three losing grand finals in
a row. The two sides had finished the home and away season in first
and second places, so it was a fitting decider to the 2019/20 season.
Bowling first, the Scotch boys made the perfect start, with stalwart
Gary Bennett ('88) making a big early breakthrough in typical fashion.
Melbourne High then steadied, managing to reach the drinks break
for the loss of only one wicket. With the run rate very much in check,
however, the Old Scotch boys were maintaining the pressure, and
broke the innings open immediately after the drinks interval.
With the big partnership broken and Melbourne High knowing it
was well behind where it needed to be, the innings stalled and Scotch
was in control. From 1-84, Melbourne High only managed to crawl to
129 all out from its 40 overs, with the final wicket falling on the last ball
of the innings.
It was a highly disciplined bowling and fielding effort from the Old
Scotch side, with all plans well executed and backed up with high
quality fielding. Will Clark ('17) and Charlie Loveridge ('18) were the pick
of the bowlers, taking three and two wickets respectively.
A target of 130 looked very achievable for a talented and deep Old
Scotch batting order, but finals run chases can be difficult and are
rarely straightforward. But a solid start was in order and that is exactly
what was delivered by Matt Mitchell ('12) and Noah Croes ('17), with
the pair putting on 76 for the first wicket and placing Scotch in a strong
position at drinks.
Despite the efforts of the pair, Melbourne High never gave in and
applied pressure and intensity all the way through. Despite a couple of
nervy moments, with Noah Croes at the crease the chase was always
well in hand. Croes showed experience beyond his years and great
determination, even when not at his free-flowing best, and was there
when the winning runs were hit with a few overs in hand.
It was a clinical grand final performance, which has been sadly
lacking in the last few seasons, and a great way to cap a fantastic
season for the Old Scotch Cricket Club. As the only club with both the
1st and 2nd XIs playing finals cricket in the top two divisions and an
exciting young core of players, there's so much to be excited about.
It was a full club effort to win the 1st XI flag, and a great reward for
everyone's hard work.
A big thanks to the committee for all their work and support, to
Scotch and the Grounds staff for making it possible for us to play in
such superb conditions each week, and to everyone who supported
us on grand final Sunday and throughout the season.
SAM SHEARER ('10) – CAPTAIN-COACH, OLD SCOTCH
CRICKET CLUB
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot
73